Page 47 of Asher

I slowly turn my head to look at Gideon. He doesn’t meet my gaze. “You left a lot of things out when we asked how you and Sam met.”

He shrugs. “Details.”

Sam’s choked scream would be funny if I wasn’t worried about losing Garrett forever. “Do you have any advice?” I ask him. “Since you’ve clearly been eavesdropping.”

“It’s my house,” he reminds me, as though that’s any excuse. “And yes, I have advice. Gideon wasn’t completely wrong—give Garrett some time. He’s already very attached to you, and since you’re playacting that you’re in love, it gives you a huge advantage. You can show him your feelings without putting any pressure on him.”

“Huh?” Dammit, things were so much easier when I just had casual sex.

Sam rolls his eyes. “Be affectionate. Do all the things you want to do.”

Yeah, that’s not helpful. “Liiiiike…?”

“Are all demons like this, or just your family?” he huffs. “Like… hold his hand in public. Kiss him. Snuggle after sex. Take him out for dinner.”

Oh. “We already do all that.”

Gideon’s head comes up. “You do?”

I shrug. “Sure. Why?”

“That doesn’t sound very marriage of convenienc-y to me. Do you cuddle on the couch together too?”

“Sometimes. He’s been watching this show that he can’t watch when he’s alone. So I watch it with him, and we cuddle.”

“Do you like the show?” Sam asks, studying me intently.

“I see where you’re going with this, and you’re wrong.”

“Am I, though?” Sam’s smirk is thoroughly annoying.

“Yes, I watch the show because I love him—even though I hadn’t realized that—but he doesn’t cuddle because he loves me.” And ouch, that hurts to say.

“All I’m saying is that this sounds a lot like a real marriage. Giving Garrett time to come to terms with that might be all you need to do.” He pauses. “Howdidyou realize you love him?”

I sigh, the memory making me feel warm and fuzzy inside. “I came home early from Zurich one day last week and went to the school to surprise him. I thought I could talk him into leaving early and maybe going skating with me while we could have the place to ourselves.”

“Because that’s totally what people who are only together for convenience do,” Gideon mutters.

Ignoring him, I continue, “When I got there, he was curled up on his couch in canid form, asleep with Chloe and Isaac. And I…” I trail off, not having words for how the picture had affected me. “I knew then.”

Gideon frowns. “Why were Chloe and Isaac sleeping at school?”

“That’s all you have to say right now?” Sam demands. “There is no romance in your soul.” He turns to me. “But yeah. Why were they?”

“Apparently Isaac hit his head and wanted to stay with Garrett. He’s fine,” I assure them. “He just decided a nap was needed.”

“Smart kid.” Sam looks me directly in the eye. “I only know what you’ve told us, and some observations from the wedding, but if I were you, I’d just enjoy the next few months. Garrett’s really attached to you already. Worst-case scenario, when the time is up and he leaves, you suggest dating long-distance for a while. I don’t think he’s going to want to end it completely.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No, Asher, listen to me. I don’t think it’s going to end.” He’s using this weirdly intent voice and staring at me.

“I appreciate that, but you can’t know—”

“Ash, he’s saying the magic is giving him the feeling it’s not going to end,” Gideon explains patiently, his attention back on his LEGO.

My stomach flips. “It does that?”

---